Density is the product
Brass is cheap and fat. Three brass 24g darts take more space in a treble. Tungsten is denser: the same weight in a slimmer barrel, so grouping in T20 is physically easier.
A practical split
| You are | Buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First board, unsure you will keep throwing | Brass or 70–80% tungsten, ~£15–£30 | If they live in a drawer, you have not funded a hobby |
| Playing weekly | 80–90% tungsten, 22–24g | Slimmer, lasts, still UK-buyable |
| Chasing a TV barrel | 90%+ and a shop that lets you hold them | Shape and grip matter more than another 2% |
Weight: most people land 22–26g. Heavier is not “more pro.” It is a different timing. Try before you marry a 28g set.
UK listings worth comparing: brass starter darts if this might be a one-month hobby, then 80% tungsten once you are throwing weekly.
What the percentage means
80% tungsten is already a different dart from brass. 90% is slimmer still and usually pricier. Past that, you are paying for machining and a name. See reviews for sets we actually put on a page.
Soft-tip note
Soft-tip barrels are often lighter. Do not assume your steel 24g set belongs in an electronic board. Tips and weight ratings differ. Accessories for shafts and flights — those you can swap without buying a new barrel.
Related: Types of darts · Reviews · First home board